Texas Immigration Detention Camp Sealed Amid Measles Outbreak, 14 Cases Confirmed
A large immigration detention camp located in Texas has been closed to all visitors and attorneys following a significant measles outbreak, a United States lawmaker confirmed on Tuesday. The facility, known as Camp East Montana, is situated on the Fort Bliss Army base and will remain inaccessible until at least March 19 or 20.
Outbreak Details and Isolation Measures
According to U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, an El Paso Democrat whose district includes the camp, there are currently 14 active measles cases at the detention center. Additionally, 112 individuals are being isolated as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the highly contagious virus.
In a statement, Escobar expressed mixed feelings about the situation. "While on one hand, it is a good thing that the measles outbreak is being taken seriously, on the other hand, I am alarmed that a preventable crisis has created conditions where detainees can only access their lawyers virtually," she said. This virtual access limitation raises concerns about legal rights and healthcare management within the facility.
Facility Background and Conditions
The camp opened last year after the Trump administration awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to Acquisition Logistics LLC, a Virginia-based contractor that had no prior experience operating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Detainees have previously described the camp as housing an average of about 3,000 people per day in loud and unsanitary quarters, where diseases spread easily and sleep is considered a luxury.
These conditions have likely contributed to the rapid transmission of measles, a vaccine-preventable disease that can lead to severe complications, especially in crowded environments. The outbreak underscores ongoing issues with healthcare and sanitation in immigration detention centers across the United States.
Official Responses and Future Implications
As of Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security had not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the outbreak and the closure. The lack of immediate official statement adds to the uncertainty surrounding the management of the crisis and the well-being of detainees.
The closure until mid-March aims to prevent further spread, but it also highlights broader systemic challenges in immigration detention, including overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and contractor oversight. This incident may prompt renewed scrutiny of ICE facilities and their operational standards, particularly in terms of public health preparedness and detainee rights.
